Geagea Says Failure to Adopt Baabda Declaration by Upcoming Govt Topples Dialogue
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea stressed on Tuesday that the failure to adopt the Baabda Declaration as the policy statement of the new government will obstruct the resumption of the national dialogue between the rival parties.
“The ministerial statement of any cabinet should be clear in this regard,” Geagea said in comments published in An Nahar newspaper.
He pointed out that the March 8 alliance’s integrity is at stake, saying: “If they refused to include the Baabda declaration in the ministerial statement, then their endeavors will be revealed.”
In the Baabda Declaration, 16 political leaders from both the March 8 majority coalition and the March 14 opposition agreed to avoid rhetoric that fuels sectarian incitement.
They also pledged to consolidate stability to prevent the country from descending into strife.
Concerning the upcoming parliamentary elections, Geagea lashed out at attempts to postpone the polls.
“The most significant signal we can send to the people and foreigners is that the constitutional life in the country is not twisted,” the Christian leader told the daily.
He pointed out that the Lebanese Forces is seeking the formation of a government capable of preparing for the polls and overseeing them.
Deep rift between the March 8 and 14 coalitions surfaced over the electoral system that would be adopted during the upcoming polls.
The majority insists on the adoption of the Orthodox proposal that considers Lebanon a single district and allows each sect to vote for its own MPs under a proportional representation system, but it was opposed by President Michel Suleiman, Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati, al-Mustaqbal bloc, the Progressive Socialist Party, and the independent Christian MPs of the March 14 opposition, saying it harms the social fabric and increases sectarian tension.
Geagea said that the formation of a non-technocrat cabinet would instantly postpone the elections.
Miqati's resignation on March 22 further complicated the political crisis in Lebanon after signs began appearing that the Hizbullah-led March 8 forces are seeking a national salvation cabinet while the March 14 opposition alliance wants a neutral government.
02 April 2013, 09:33
58
the Baabda declaration is a must. this is the minimum for M14 especially over 30 agreements which were decided by the dialogue sessions were never abided by the hizbushaitan and their cronies.
otherwise, what is dialogue for?
02 April 2013, 10:28
78
the only history you know FT is the one shoved in your brain by the FPM orange book...nothing else
02 April 2013, 11:02
55
FT i asked an Australian barrister who was at the trail ,and he said there was no shred of evidence to incriminate him .so i choose to believe people i respect,no one else
02 April 2013, 12:38
21
FT we all know who assassinated politicians in lebanon.syria and her followers in Lebanon .It is a fact until proven otherwise.who will he sue in Lebanon? Jamil el sayed will have his day ..he is guilty and it will be proven..let your Hizb had over there suspects first and it will all come out.you are blinded by your loyalty to your political affiliation.
02 April 2013, 12:40
03
There are no options to dialog. We need our politicians to sit around the same table and talk. If talking does not yield any immediate results, talk more and get more creative and prepare to give and take. Above all have patience and plenty of it.
Agree on the goals first. A united country, underpinned by a state that has the exclusive authority to formulate and execute policy, is something that we all agree about. The next step is to agree on a roadmap to get there. Let the roadmap spread over time to allow trust to be built. Rome was not built in a day.
Understand the concerns of your counterpart and try to figure out a way to alleviate them.
But first the situation needs to be stablized, and it entails easing up on the rhetoric on both sides.
02 April 2013, 16:22
01
Cute of Naharnet to have erased my reply to you FT. Really cute. I can't comprehend the controversial in what I posted.
02 April 2013, 12:43
21
FT ..every thing you say is 100% wrong..the only people that believe you are the M8 sheep like yourself.best if you make your post on al manar ..they would love you there
02 April 2013, 14:00
54
The extremist shia in hezballah have a religious connection to the mothership iran, they put their mehdi stories over lebanese interests & will continue to slaughter the people of syria & will continue bickering in affairs that do not involve Lebanon. This is why people love Samir, so strong & tells it how it is
02 April 2013, 14:13
01
And we need a new beginning, starting with a new national anthem. He're my suggestion:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pQjFKJtfEc
02 April 2013, 16:12
00
Ya FlamerThrower, Are you serious??? Do us a favour & stop manipulating history. The Australian Barrister was born in Australia and had no idea about Lebanese politics until the LF Australia office paid him to go to Lebanon & investigate & consider defending the LF leader. This Barrister was absolutely blown away at the miscarriage of justice & political persecution against the LF and its leader. He has spoken publicly about this & is a well respected human rights advocate in the UN & Amnesty International. The countless arrests and beatings of innocent LF family members (e.g. Antoinette Chahine) to name one. In the end after 18 months, he was so disgusted with the Syrian occupation and its puppets that yes this honourable Barrister did indeed end up joining the LF in Australia. Enou we understand you love Aoun and hate the LF, but please please don't try distort history. After all you claim that you lived the civil war when we were still in diapers ;-) Peace and God bless the truth.
02 April 2013, 17:23
21
FT- you know this barrister maroun speaks of? how can you speak with such certainty. You can't just pick a scenario that suits your need and move forward with an argument as if it is a hard fact. The fact is that it was Syria that put him behind bars. Anyone with a shred of common sense will tell you he was framed. I know you are aware of that because we had conversations in the past and you, yourself, stated that Syria was louting and having their will in Lebanon.
